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Cairngorm, United Kingdom

Introduction

It's all change on the Cairngorms in more ways than one. Firstly and most amazingly, it actually snowed and snowed a lot during last season (2001) going against the record of the previous ten or so years. But not only did it snow, it kept snowing all season, and as if that weren't enough, the snow stayed on the ground for a lengthy period of time that had the lifts still been running, it would have meant riding at the start of May. The other big change on the Cairngorms is the new funicular train. After years of countless arguments with environmental bodies, sad bird watchers and squares from various rambling associations, the Cairngorm Mountain Company finally got the go ahead to build the first ever funicular railway in Great Britain costing over #16 million (up-grading the old chair lifts and day lodge with money left over to build a new primary school down in Aviemore would have been a better way of spending that amount of cash). Still, the new train should greatly improve the up-lift capacity and time spent queuing for lifts. The funicular will also be a big relief to first timers as the beginner slopes are up at the top on the Ciste, which used to be reached by the old chair lift that often had to be shut down due to high winds. The train will be able to run in much greater winds and will travel a distance of 1200 metres from the top car park up to the new Ptarmigan restaurant in around six minutes. It won't be a cheap trip though as an adult return ticket is set to cost from #7.50 (the same money could buy two travel cards for a days unlimited train and bus travel around London). However, if the train works and the other new mountain facilities turn out to be good, then all the better. Let's hope that the attitude and standard of customer care by the Cairngorm Mountain company to its visitors, also changes for the better

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